Lately, Income Tax Department of India has made it possible for tax payers to easily file their income tax returns online. The facility has helped tax payers in India to file their income tax returns without having to run from pillar to post and without having to burn the midnight oil.
Every year, 31st of July remains the last day to e-file the income tax returns online. For FY 2016-17(AY 2017-18), the Income Tax Department of India has extended the last date of e-filing income tax returns to the 5th of August 2017.
But here’s the deal:
Despite the e-filing facility made available to tax payers, a large number of tax payers still choose not to file their income tax returns. Why? This is because they find the process rather complex and dumbfounding.
And that is why; here we present to you a quick 10 step guide to make it easy for you to e-file your income tax returns online. So if you too have been planning for e-filing income tax returns online, but do not understand the e-filing procedure; simply skim through this article.
So, let’s dive right in! Shall we?
First Step: Complete E-Filing Account
The first step to successfully e-file your income tax return is to complete and create your income tax e-filing account. In order to do this, visit the official website of Income Tax Department of India (www.incometaxindaefiling.gov.in). Then, click on ‘Register’ and feed in all the required details. Once completed, you will be prompted to login to your account using your PAN card number and your selected password.
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Second Step: Download Form 26AS
Now on the dashboard, you will find options to view different form options. Once there, click on ‘View Form 26AS (Tax Credit)’. If you are wondering what Form 26AS is, here’s a quick and dirty definition of the same – this form is like a consolidated tax statement that offers a quick summary of the taxes paid against your PAN number. When prompted for password to open and view the file, please use your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.
Third Step: Download ITR Form
Now, click on the ‘Download ITR’ form. In case you have income from more than one property, capital gains or asset benefits outside the country, you will need to fill ITR-2 form. Once you have downloaded the ITR form, you will find a zipped folder saved to your computer.
Fourth Step: Fill Required Details
Now, open the form in MS excel format from the downloaded ZIPPED Folder. Enable macros in the excel sheet. Fill out the basic details. Refer to the Form 16 provided to you by your employer and the Form 26AS that you have downloaded. Don’t forget to fill out the details of the income tax that your employer has deducted from your salary. Also, add any advance taxes paid by you. In addition, fill up your bank details including Banks name, IFSC code, etc.
Fifth Step: Verify the Details
Now, click on the ‘Validate’ button to verify your ITR form details. If you have missed out to fill anything in the form, an automated prompt will ask you to fill that up.
Sixth Step: Calculate Tax Liability
Now that you have filled in all the required details, click on ‘Calculate Tax’. If your return forms shows any amount as tax payable, then you will need to deposit the amount to the income tax department. Once you do that, please enter the challan details in your Income Tax Return form.
Seventh Step: Generate the XML file
Once you have fulfilled your tax liabilities, do well to click on ‘Generate XML’ tab. Now save the XML file on your computer.
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Eighth Step: Submit Your Income Tax Return Form
Now login back to the income tax filing website and click on ‘Upload Return’. Now, fill your ITR form with details such as your name (as appearing on the PAN card) and the assessment year. Now simply upload the ITR form (XML) and click on ‘Submit’ button. Once you do this, ITR-V form will be generated. You will receive this form at your email (as mentioned by you in your income tax return form). This form (ITR-V) is like an acknowledgement plus verification form.
Ninth Step: Forward the Duly Signed ITR-V to the IT Department
Take a print out of the ITR-V form and sign it. Make sure of putting in your signatures in blue ink. Now, send it to the ‘Income Tax Department –CPC, Post Bag No-1, Electronic City Post Office, Bengaluru-560100’. Remember, you will need to send the ITR-V form within 120 days of uploading your income tax return form.
Tenth Step: Check Status of ITR-V Receipt
Upon receipt of the ITR-V form, the Income Tax Department Central Processing Centre will send you an e-mail acknowledgement of the same to your email address. The status of the receipt of the ITR-V form is also notified via SMS to your registered mobile number by the Income Tax Department.
Conclusion
So this is it! These are the 10 easy steps to quickly e-file your income tax returns online. Now go on, put this learning into practice and easily e-file income tax returns online. Remember, it has been mandatory for the tax payers by the Government of India to file income tax returns.
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